European dialogue between cruise operators, ports and coastal tourism stakeholders

European dialogue between cruise operators, ports and coastal tourism stakeholders

As announced in the Communication “A European Strategy for more Growth and Jobs in Coastal and Maritime Tourism”, the Commission is promoting a structured dialogue on cruise tourism to enhance synergies in the sector, targeting best practice sharing in innovation, competiveness and sustainability strategies.

Therefore, a Pan-European Dialogue between ports, cruise operators and coastal tourism stakeholders will be launched with a conference in Brussels on 5 and 6 March 2015.

This Dialogue will bring ports, cruise operators and coastal tourism stakeholders together to discuss and find solutions to issues such as congestion in ports, the economics of cruise visits for coastal communities, saturation of the most popular destinations, implementation of existing legislation (e.g. reception facilities for waste management at ports), environmental challenges and innovation potential. Participants will also have the occasion to discuss the regional challenges and opportunities for the sector in specific sea-basin dedicated workshops.

In this regard, Antonio Deudero, Director General for ports and airports of the Regional Government of the Balearic Islands, and Georgios Tsalonis, Regional Councillor of Central Macedonia in charge of Tourism will represent the CPMR during the discussions.